2007 Saturn Vue Greenline FWD Hybrid SUV Review

"Go green for little green" is the thought behind Saturn's first
hybrid, the Vue Greenline. It's a light gasoline-electric hybrid - meaning
that it never operates in electric-only mode - but it does have all of the
other fuel-saving benefits of a hybrid vehicle. Once the engine is warmed
up, it usually shuts off at a stop, depending on load and conditions. An
electric motor/generator provides extra power when needed for acceleration,
and recharges the battery pack when slowing. It also improves braking
performance with the magnetic drag from that regenerative braking.

This adds up to, according to Saturn, an approximate 20 percent
increase in fuel economy for a price premium of only $2,000. Expect more
Greenline models in the Saturn lineup, and elsewhere in the GM family, in
the future.

With its 2.4-liter version of the GM "Ecotec" four-cylinder
engine rated, with the motor assist, at 170 horsepower, the Greenline
slots between the regular 2.2-liter, 143-hp four-cylinder and 3.5-liter,
242-hp V6 varieties of the Vue. Its EPA fuel economy rating is better than
either, at 27 mpg city / 32 highway versus 22/27 and 20/28 for front-drive
automatic fours and V6es. Unlike the regular Vue models, the Greenline is
offered only in front-wheel drive form, and loses about an inch in ground
clearance. Although its 7.9 inches are still better than a car, the
Greenline, like all of the Vue models, is not an off-road vehicle, it's a
modern crossover station wagon replacement.

And in that role it shines. It's compact and easy to park on
the outside, and roomy and versatile inside. Saturn's trademark plastic
body panels resist minor parking lot dents and dings, and there is plenty
of power for everyday use, with thrifty use of regular unleaded gasoline.
At 28 mpg during my week of use, the Vue Greenline did quite well
considering its size and 3500-pound weight. It held four people in comfort
thanks to a spacious rear seat, and a fifth in the center rear position
wouldn't have had a hard time. Cargo space was very good with the rear seat
in passenger position, and, folding it down, I was able to transport my
bicycle easily, with no need for disassembly. All in all, the Vue Greenline
was a very Saturn sort of vehicle, practical, functional, economical, and a
very good value.

APPEARANCE: The Vue looks like what it is - a friendly family
vehicle with no phony macho pretentions. Only badging - small "Hybrid"
emblems on the lower front doors and tailgate - differentiates the
Greenline from the regular Vue. In either case, a Vue is a handsomely
functional small crossover SUV with a two-box design modified a bit by
styling that gently rounds the corners and edges and adds a sporty touch
with a profile that rises toward the rear and also features prominent but
not overdone fender flares. The hood is gently sculpted, and the front
panel features a small chrome-trimmed grille between wide, faired
headlights and a larger opening lower in the bumper. There is a small visor
over the rear window, and rear styling is generally simple, with
rectangular taillights and a small chrome garnish piece over the license
plate.

COMFORT: Form follows function. In style, the Vue Greeline is
pleasantly contemporary, but still very functional. Color is in a two-tone,
dark-over-light motif. The chrome-bezeled instruments are shielded from
glare by a prominent brow, and the audio and climate system controls are in
a center stack that extends into a lower console for the shifter and power
window and mirror controls. A proper console between the front seats has
storage and cupholders. Chrome plastic trim in the door handles and around
the stack adds interest. Cruise and auxiliary audio controls are found on
the tilt-adjustable steering wheel. The standard AM/FM/6CD audio system
only plays regular CDs, but an auxiliary jack near the front power point is
there for use with external music players. My test Greenline had the
optional leather seats. The front buckets provided decent support and
comfort, and visibility from the driver's seat was good. Even with leather,
the front seats are manually-adjustable. A flat floor, good knee and
shoulder room, and excellent head room distinguish the rear seat. It folds
with a 70/30 split for convenience - and the front passenger seat can fold
flat, forward, so very long items can be carried inside.

SAFETY: The Vue has five-star ratings in Federal tests for
both front and rear passengers in front and side impacts. It's built with
safety cage and crumple zone construction, and comes with standard dual
front airbags and integrated safety belt pretensioners. Side-curtain
airbags are available.

RIDE AND HANDLING: On the road, the Vue Greenline is a
pleasant crossover vehicle. It feels like a tall midsize, middle-class,
mainstream car, not a truck, and the fully-independent strut front,
multilink rear suspension is firm enough for good handling characteristics
while still providing a comfortable ride. The electric power steering
system has a reasonable touch, neither too light for control at speed nor
too heavy for ease of driving around town.

PERFORMANCE: Most of the time, the Vue Greenline's hybrid
system is completely transparent. It combines a 2.4-liter twin-cam
four-cylinder engine with a belt-connected motor-generator for assistance
and regenerative braking. The front wheels only are driven through a
four-speed automatic transmission. The Greenline feels like a small SUV
with a regular torque-converter automatic transmission and a reasonably
powerful if not hormone-fed four-cylinder engine. Maybe a four with light
turbo boost, as the electric motor gives a noticeable but not overpowering
turbo-like kick in acceleration under heavy throttle. That boost is quick
and predictable, and light enough not to cause any untoward surprise to the
driver. In generator mode under deceleration and braking, regenerative
braking recharges the battery pack located under the rear load floor and
noticeably helps slow the vehicle. Most of the Greenline's gas mileage
improvement comes from stopping the engine when the vehicle comes to a stop
- a point where otherwise it would be getting zero miles per gallon. The
engine must be warmed up for the hybrid system to work. This is indicated
by a green "eco light" on the dash, which also provides a visual reward for
the driver as it comes on when the Greenline is being driven in the most
fuel-efficient manner. All accessories, such as audio and climate control
systems, operate normally when the engine is off, although if they are also
shut off efficiency will be further improved. When stopped, the engine
stays off for a maximum of two minutes. After that it comes on to prevent
excessive battery drain. System function and battery level can be monitored
through the charge/assist gauge next to the tachometer.